President Yoweri Museveni has broken his silence on the mounting concerns surrounding the recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries, promising to correct irregularities and ensure that justice is served for all affected members.
In a message directed to NRM supporters across the country, especially the youth, whom he affectionately refers to as Bazzukulu, the president acknowledged that while the party primaries were a democratic milestone, they were tainted by what he described as “mistakes committed by self-seekers.”
He cited allegations of bribery, vote tampering, and interference with party registers, calling these acts both criminal and a distortion of the political process.
“These actions were criminal and also distorted the politics and the law of elections,” Museveni stated, adding that the urgent concern was to address the fraudulent altering of results, use of violence, and outright bribery.
He noted that Uganda’s security agencies, including the Internal Security Organization (ISO) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), had already apprehended and charged several individuals suspected of involvement in electoral fraud.
However, Museveni stressed that while the criminal aspect was being handled, the political and legal implications of the flawed primaries must also be resolved.
The president questioned why NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi had not moved to correct fraudulent results, especially given that the voting process, done by lining up, was public and transparent.
“Remember, the voting was by lining up, during the day, and everybody saw the results. How does anybody change that, other than making oneself a fool?” Museveni remarked.
He revealed that legal advisers had made it clear that Odoi could not be the one to rectify the very mistakes he may have been part of.
Instead, a designated lawyers’ committee, referred to as the Tribunal, will handle the remaining disputes, guided by the same evidence that led to criminal charges.
President Museveni concluded by reassuring NRM members that their grievances have not gone unheard. “Those affected by the mistakes of the mistake-makers should know that their grievances are already being addressed,” he said. “Everything will be rectified. It is just the facts and evidence that will conclude the matter.”
